Original Classification Authority (OCA)
OCA may be exercised only by the President; the Vice President in the performance of executive duties, or by agency heads or other officials designated by the President, to classify information in the first instance. Within Army, this translates to the Secretary of the Army through HQDA, G-2 for Top Secret OCA, and the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-2 for Secret and confidential OCA delegation. No further delegation is authorized by an OCA.
Upon assignment and prior to making original classification decisions,
OCAs must complete annual training and certify in writing training has been completed. Training requirements are outlined in DoD Manual 5200.01, V3
Security Managers are responsible for maintaining OCA delegation letters and training certifications and provide to DCS, G-2 (DAMI-CDS) when requested
DCS, G-2 (DAMI-CDS) Information Security Branch maintains the list of all Army OCAs. Contact our office for new requests, or changes to current OCA delegations.
Refer to the
training tab on this webpage for training resources related to
OCA or go to the Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE)
on the Defense Security Services website to access OCA training products.